TAMIU's Mariachi Internacional Travels to S.A. to Defend First Place

Jessica Febe González, a senior pursuing an early childhood education
degree at Texas A&M International University, has played music on her violin
for the past 13 years.

But on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22-23, González
and the rest of the 16 members of the University's
Mariachi Internacional will have a special musical
task to perform as they travel to San Antonio to defend
their group's first place title at the Ford Lincoln
Mercury's 8th Mariachi Extravaganza.

The Mariachi Extravaganza is a well-established mariachi
competition drawing university mariachi groups from
throughout Texas. Last year, TAMIU's Mariachi Internacional
won first place in the University Category of the competition.
The group competition will be held Friday, from 5-10
p.m. in the Municipal Auditorium, located on 100 Auditorium
Circle in San Antonio. The mariachi vocal competition
will be held Saturday, from 8 a.m. - noon at the same
location.

"I feel very confident that we will win again
this year," González said, "This is
my first year in the group but from what our group
members have been saying, I have a good feeling we
will win."

Dr. Rachel Y. Cruz, assistant professor of music and
Mariachi Internacional director, said emphatically
that her students will win the competition.

"If they lose, that's because the judges are having
a bad day," Cruz joked, "Our mariachi is
truly a university level mariachi."

While in San Antonio, students will also participate
in a mariachi music clinic being held by the famous
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán.

González said she is elated to meet the legendary
Mariachi Vargas.

"I'm excited because this is the first year that
I'm going to experience this," she said.

For more information about the Mariachi Internacional,
please contact Dr. Cruz at 326-2640, e-mail rcruz@tamiu.edu
or visit offices located in Pellegrino Hall 216D. University
office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu